The Minnesota Vikings signed quarterback Josh Freeman . Freeman had issues in Tampa Bay, but the Vikings are not concerned by what happened. The Vikings need to make a move on the roster with a couple options involving incumbent starter Christian Ponder and third-stringer McLeod Bethel-Thompson. Freeman will not play Sunday and could make his Vikings the following week.

The Minnesota Vikings host the Carolina Panthers in their first game since beating the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 4. The Panthers and Vikings have a combined 2-6 record with wins over winless teams. The Panthers are led by quarterback Cam Newton on offense and middle linebacker Luke Kuechly on defense.

The Minnesota Vikings have acquired a new quarterback Sunday night. According to NFL agent Erik Burkhardt, free-agent quarterback Josh Freeman has signed with the Minnesota Viking for a one-year contract. Freeman was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ starting quarterback at the start of this season, but was benched a week ago in favor of a rookie. Freeman, in his fifth year, was the 17th overall pick in the 2009 draft out of Kansas State.

Christian Ponder’s broken ribs forced the Minnesota Vikings to start backup quarterback Matt Cassel. The nine-year veteran led the team to a 34-27 victory. The Vikings finally have something to build on this season with the consistent and trustworthy quarterback. The defense made a big play when it needed to and the special teams made plays – some good and some bad.

The Minnesota Vikings had a disappointing finish to an encouraging season. Jared Allen will undergo surgery on his shoulder after the Pro Bowl later this month. The Vikings now begin preparation for the draft in April and evaluating its 14 free agents.

The Minnesota Vikings face the Chicago Bears Sunday at Soldier Field. The Bears are tied for the division lead, but have lost two straight games. The key for both is turnovers. If the Vikings do not commit them, they will win.

Despite preseason predictions, the Minnesota Vikings remain in the hunt for a playoff spot. The schedule does not get any easier; in fact it is one of the toughest remaining schedules of any team. The Vikings have the pieces and opportunity to make a run against the more heavily favored opponents.

Kevin Williams is one of the most talented defensive tackles in the NFL, but the most interesting events surrounding his career did not come on the field. During the 2003 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings took too much time and the two teams behind them made selections before the Vikings selected Williams. He also fought the league over a banned substance suspension for almost three years before having it cut in half.

The Minnesota Vikings missed on a chance to be just the third team in the NFL to win six games this season. The Vikings need to be focused on ways to get better not the playoffs, but here are the scenarios that impact the team’s place in the standings.

The Minnesota Vikings host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in its first Thursday night game since September of 2010. The Vikings will enter the game as the favorite at home, two things that bode well for the purple. The key will be stopping passing duo Josh Freeman and Vincent Jackson.

The Minnesota Vikings were dominating the Washington Redskins in the first quarter Sunday. However, a three scoring drives that ended in field goals instead of touchdowns cost the Vikings the game. The Vikings found out this week that it will play the Pittsburgh Steelers next season in London, England.